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The Serie A Returns! Will Inter be able to regain their crown without Romelu Lukaku?

Italian Serie A: Gameweek 1 Preview

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Will Juventus be able to roll back the years under Massimiliano Allegri? There are so many questions that Italian football fans are dying to know and all those answers will start unfolding tomorrow.

Two women looking excitedly at cellphone

Saturday 21 August

Hellas Verona 17/10
Draw 24/10
Sassuolo 31/20

Hellas Verona take on Sassuolo in what looks to be a very closely contested encounter. Both teams finished in midtable last season with Sassuolo finishing eighth and Hellas Verona finishing tenth. With Hellas Verona being on their home patch, they should just have the edge, but it is the first game of the season and both teams will be trying hard to impress, hence the reason I’m going for the totals market and tipping Over 2.5 goals at 17/20.

Inter Milan 7/20
Draw 42/10
Genoa 68/10

The defending champions will be looking to be start the season off with a bang but when they line up this weekend, they will be without their talismanic striker from last season Romelu Lukaku after he joined Chelsea last week. They face a Genoa side who finished 49 points below them last season in 11th in the form of Genoa and with that being said, there should be only result in this. However, the 7/20 on offer isn’t very appetizing. The selection is to take Inter Milan on the (-1) Handicap at 9/10.

Empoli 33/10
Draw 28/10
Lazio 8/10

Newly-promoted Empoli faces Serie A veterans Lazio. Empoli will be hoping that their home support provides them with the push that is required to keep up with the “big boys.” Lazio will be trying to push on from their sixth-place finish and move into the Champions League spots. This promises to be a very exciting matchup as the norm for newly promoted teams is to play without fear, and for that reason, I am tipping Both Teams to Score (Yes) at 13/20.

Torino 42/10
Draw 33/10
Atalanta 11/20

Torino escaped relegation by just four points last season and Atalanta managed to get into the Champions League, both were achievements for both clubs. Torino will be hoping that they don’t find themselves in a tricky situation like last season and will be hoping for a great start. However, Atalanta come with lots of fire power in attack and should make it difficult for Torino. With that being said, Atalanta should be able to kick off their season to a great start.

Sunday 22 August

Bologna 7/10
Draw 28/10
Sportiva Salernitana 36/10

Bologna host newly-promoted Salernitana in their first game of the season. Bologna who finished 12th in the league last season and ended on a barren run without a win in their last seven games. Salernitana is an unknown quantity and their style of play should be watched closely. I’m taking the cautious root and tipping the Half-Time Draw here at 12/10.

Udinese 52/10
Draw 34/10
Juventus 5/10

Massimiliano Allegri returned to Juventus after the Old Lady missed out on the league title to Inter Milan last season. Allegri is undoubtedly one of the most successful coaches in the league and will be confident of bringing the glory days back at Juve. There are rumours suggesting that the club is willing to sell star player Cristiano Ronaldo for £26m to a Premier League club. There are no marquee signings made by Juventus in this window yet, but they did bring some exciting young players like Weston McKennie, Cristian Romero and Luca Pellegrini. With Italy winning the EURO’s, one can believe that the Serie A will be competitive this season. Back Juventus to welcome back Allegri with a win.

Napoli 1/4
Draw 52/10
Venezia 86/10

Napoli host Venezia in what looks like a David vs Goliath encounter. Napoli won all their pre-season friendlies and really look to be in good shape coming into the season. Being a newly-promoted team and going up against giants like Napoli must really be a daunting task, but in saying that, they have nothing to lose and should put up a brave showing. Napoli should be too good here, add them to all multiples.

Roma 15/20
Draw 29/10
Fiorentina 32/10

Roma finished 22 points ahead Fiorentina. They host them in their first game of the season, with Tammy Abraham in line to make his debut for Jose Mourinho’s side. With Roma being on their home patch, they should really be able to get their season off to winning ways. Fiorentina had an up and down season, winning some and losing some which explains their midtable finish. Roma can get the season off to a great start, add them on to all multiples.

Monday 23 August

Cagliari 1/1
Draw 5/2
Spezia 5/2

Last season’s 15th and 16th place teams host each other in their opening games. Both teams escaped the jaws of relegation last year and will be hoping that they don’t find themselves in that position again. With Cagliari at home, they should have the edge, but with these teams who are normally in the lower half of the table, you never know what to expect, and for that reason, I’m tipping the Half-Time Draw here at 12/10.

Sampdoria 31/10
Draw 26/10
AC Milan 17/20

AC Milan concluded their pre-season preparations concluding the European Summer Tour as well as some other friendlies last weekend. The Rossoneri played six matches throughout their pre-season where they won three and drew the other three. The Italian giants beat Pro Sesto 6-0, Moden 5-0 and Panathinaikos 2-1, while drawing with Nice, Valencia and Real Madrid. New signings like Olivier Giroud will be looking to impress and get off to a flying start. Despite losing Gianluigi Donnarumma, AC Milan will have a solid defence with Theo Hernandez and Davide Calabria doing well at full backs with Fikayo Tomori and Alessio Romagnoli showing good chemistry. Ismael Bennacer looks ready to bounce back following his injuries last season. Back AC Milan to win here.

TREBLE @ 4/1
AC Milan Win 17/20
Roma Win 15/20
Juventus Win 5/10

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